Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2016
Source: Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, CA)
Copyright: 2016 Appeal-Democrat
Contact: 
https://appeal-democrat-dot-com.bloxcms-ny1.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
Website: http://www.appeal-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1343
Author: Eric Vodden

LEGAL CHALLENGE TO BALLOT ARGUMENTS AGAINST MEDICAL POT MEASURE

A supporter of Yuba County's medical marijuana dispensary initiative 
has filed a court action to remove portions of opposition ballot 
arguments against the June measure.

The Yuba County Superior Court complaint filed on behalf of Terry 
Comer claims "false and misleading statements" were made in a sample 
ballot argument opposing the initiative and in a related rebuttal. 
Comer is one of four people listed as official proponents to Measure 
B on the June 7 countywide ballot.

A Yuba County Superior Court hearing before Judge Stephen Berrier is 
scheduled at 8:30 a.m. today.

The proposed Patients Access to Regulated Medical Cannabis Act would 
allow a licensed cannabis dispensary in each of five supervisors 
districts. There are currently no land-use provisions under which an 
application can be submitted to locate a dispensary in Yuba County.

The action seeks a court order requiring Yuba County Clerk Terry 
Hansen "to strike said false and/or misleading portions" of the 
arguments. It cites eight examples of what it claims are false 
statements in the argument against Measure B and another five 
statements it alleges are false in the rebuttal to the argument in favor.

Named as real parties in interest are those who signed the argument 
and rebuttal. They are District Attorney Pat McGrath, Sheriff Steve 
Durfor, Chief Probation Officer James Arnold, retired county Sheriff 
Virginia Black and retired county Health Officer Joseph Cassady.

A response filed by the Yuba County counsel's office, which is 
defending only Hansen, notes sample ballots will be mailed to voters 
on April 28. But it also states that April 8 is the "drop dead" date 
for any changes to arguments to meet preparation and printing schedules.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom